COTTAGE GROVE – “Steel Magnolias” is one of those plays that brings in an audience. The play debuted last weekend, and opening night was sold out. Performances continue April 3-4 at Opal Center, 513 E. Main St.
The play centers on six Southern women in a small Louisiana town who meet at Trudy’s salon as they navigate life’s challenges. The central plot focuses on Shelby’s struggles with diabetes and her mother’s devotion against a backdrop of the 1980s, with plenty of era-specific references to evoke nostalgia.
Michele Rose, former executive director and former member, mentioned during the opening night of the previous play that they’d already sold tickets far in advance. Not only is this a classic and well-loved play, but the local actors also draw in the Cottage Grove audience. Opening night sold out.
“When you produce shows with local talent, people recognize the name and the talent. Friends and family are more likely to attend as it is close by. I think everyone involved with Steel Magnolias has performed or been involved at Cottage Theatre,” says Rose, who currently volunteers and performs at Opal Center. Many of the actresses in the play have been in other local productions, and you may recognize their names from Cottage Theatre plays.
One audience member, Steve Knight, said, “I know most of these actors. They are top-notch. You can’t find better actors.” Other audience members made similar comments after seeing the actresses perform elsewhere.
Alana Merz, who played Annelle, is a youth theatre director who gets to play alongside her mother, Laurel Merz. Laurel Merz, playing M’Lynn, gave a heartfelt performance so emotionally wrought that sniffles were audible throughout the audience.
“I have never cried during a play before,” said Shelly Walsh, an audience member. That is quite the testament to the actresses’ performance.
Kenady Conforth isn’t just an actress and singer, but a talented dancer and dance instructor, playing Shelby. She captured her character’s Southern sweetness and sassy naivete. At one point, her performance left me with chills. Maya Burton, the director, who has also been the executive director at Opal Center since October 2024, couldn’t have cast anyone better for this role. Burton did such a fantastic job in her casting and directing that it is hard to believe this is her first time directing adults.
Janet Rust, who people might recognize as a director, choreographer, and performer at Cottage Theatre, is making her debut at Opal as Truvy. Her body language and mannerisms made her character feel like everyone’s favorite southern hairdresser. Her delivery of southern sayings had audience members laughing loudly.
Elizabeth Peterson as Clairee was funny, elegant, and flawless. Peterson expresses how grateful she is “for the incredible privilege to do this show with these amazing people in this perfect space.” It is heartwarming that this sentiment is mirrored by the other actresses and director, showing how much they enjoyed working together.
Nikki Pagniano as Ouiser was hilarious with her grumpy charm.
Nancy McCollum of Cottage Grove said that Ouiser was her favorite character. “The interactions between the women are really funny — and the way they care about each other. I also like how they characterize — they are steel magnolias. On the surface, they are fluffy and pink, but they are very strong.”
That truly is one of the charms of this play. It highlights the strength of women, as well as their struggles. The themes of female friendship and resilience make this play relevant and timely in any era. Do yourself a favor and stop doomscrolling the news on the internet; immerse yourself in a welcome respite of laughter, entertaining stories, and poignant acting.
More info and tickets: opalcentercg.org
